Guide positioning system for a container transport line

ABSTRACT

A guide positioning system for a container transport line includes a guide assembly supporting a pair of guide segments extending opposite each other along the container transport line and an actuation system. The guide segments are located in a home position, and the actuation system is set to correspond with the home position to calibrate the guide positioning system. Furthermore, the actuation system selectively couples and operates the guide assembly so that the guide segments move to a predetermined position away from the home position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/050,278 filed on Feb. 3, 2005. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a container transport system, and moreparticularly to a container transport system including a containertransport line and a guide positioning system with adjustable guidesalong the container transport line.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Currently, various packaging and shipping methods are used to transportcontainers, such as bottles, from one location to another. As such, itis often necessary to provide a container transport line or conveyor totransfer containers from one machine to another in the handling process.Such container transport systems will often utilize guide rails alongthe transport line to maintain the proper orientation of the containersbeing transferred. In recent years, variations in shapes and sizes ofcontainers have proliferated. Accordingly, it is desirable to have asystem which allows such guide rails to be quickly and repeatedlyadjusted to accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and shapes.

Container transport systems with adjustable guides can include guidepositioning systems. During operation, however, components can slip,misalign, or otherwise require recalibration. Occasionally, such guidepositioning systems may require calibration in order to proper align theguides for a given bottle. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have aguide positioning system which can be efficiently and repeatedlycalibrated.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a guide positioning system for acontainer transport line. The guide positioning system can include aguide assembly having a first guide segment and a second guide segmentextending opposite each other along the transport line. The guideassembly can further have a rotating member disposed proximate thetransport line and a force translation mechanism coupled between theguide segments and the rotating member for displacing the guide segmentsin correspondence with a rotation of the rotating member. The guidepositioning system can also include an actuation system having a driveelement extending along the transport line and adapted to engaged therotating member, an actuator, and an actuator coupling device.

In operation, the guide segments locate a home position, and theactuation system is set to correspond with the home position. Theactuator coupling device selectively couples the drive element and theactuator. The actuation system selectively operates the drive element torotate the rotating member and move the guide segments to apredetermined position away from the home positions.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a container transportsystem including an infeed machine for collecting a plurality ofcontainers, a discharge machine for receiving the containers, and acontainer transport line extending between the infeed machine and thedischarge machine. The container transport system further includes aplurality of guide assemblies supporting guides along the transport lineand an actuation system selectively coupled to the guide assemblies.When the guide assemblies and the actuation system are uncoupled, theguides are located in a home position, and the actuation system is setto correspond with the home position to calibrate the containertransport system. When the container transport system is calibrated, theactuation system selectively operates the guide assemblies to move theguides to a predetermined position away from the home position.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a method positioning aguide for a container packaging system. The method includes locating aguide in a home position, setting an actuation system to correspond withthe home position of the guide, coupling the guide and the actuationsystem, and operating the actuation system to move the guide to apredetermined position away from the home position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a container transport system according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a guide assembly according to theprinciples of the present disclosure showing the guide segments in ahome position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the guide assembly of FIG. 2 showing theguide assemblies in a predetermined position away from the homeposition;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a pair of guide assemblies according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of an alternative guide assembly accordingto the principles of the present disclosure showing guide segments in ahome position;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the guide assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the guide assembly of FIG. 5 showing theguide segments in a predetermined position away from the home position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the guide assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged portion of the front elevation of the guideassembly of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of a nonlinear portion of a container transportline according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, a guidepositioning system for a container transport line includes a guideassembly supporting a pair of guide segments extending opposite eachother along the container transport line. The guide positioning systemalso includes an actuation system. When the guide segment is located ina home position, the actuation system can be set to correspond with thehome position to calibrate the guide positioning system. Furthermore,the actuation system selectively couples and operates the guide assemblyso that the guide segments move to predetermined positions away from thehome position.

Referring to FIG. 1, a container transport or conveyor system 20 for acontainer packaging system is shown. Container transport system 20includes a container transport line or conveyor 22 along whichcontainers 24 are transported from an infeed machine 26 to a dischargemachine 28. Infeed machine 26 collects a plurality of containers 24 andintroduces them to container transport system 20 which accumulates andtransports containers to discharge machine 28.

Container transport system 20 also has a guide positioning system. Theguide positioning system includes a plurality of guide assemblies 30coupled along transport line 22 and an actuation system 32 forselectively operating guide assemblies 30. As described in furtherdetail below, guide assemblies 30 support guides segments 60 alongtransport line 22.

Actuation system 32 includes a drive element 34 extending alongtransport line 22 and coupled to guide assemblies 30. Actuation system32 includes an actuator 36 for selectively manipulating drive element 34and a coupling device 38 for selectively coupling drive element 34 andactuator 36. Actuation system 32 is configured to utilize multiple driveelements 34, actuators 36, and coupling devices 38 along the length ofthe transport line 22. Additionally, actuation system 32 may include acontrol device (not shown). As described in more detail below, thecontrol device can be configured to receive inputs from a user tooperate actuation system 32 in accordance therewith.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, transport line 22 includes neck guide 48. Neckguide 48 supports and directs containers 24 traveling along transportline 22. As presently preferred, an air plenum 50 is supported alongtransport line 22 above neck guide 48 and accommodates an air conveyancesystem for powering movement of containers 24 along transport line 22 asis well known in the art. A container shape envelope 52 is definedrelative to transport line 22 and neck guide 48 which corresponds tovarious sizes and shapes of containers 24 transferred along transportline 22. A system support or base 54 extends proximate transport line22.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, an exemplary guide assembly 30 is shown. Guideassembly 30 includes a pair of guide segments 60 a, 60 b, and acorresponding pair of support structures 62 a, 62 b. It is to beunderstood that guide assembly 30 may include multiple similarcomponents, such as guide segments 60 a, 60 b and support structures 62a, 62 b depending on the length and configuration of the transport line22. As such, it is to be understood that descriptions of an individualcomponent applies to corresponding similar components and that similarcomponents can be collectively described. For example, guide segments 60a, 60 b can be collectively described and referenced as guide segments60.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, slidable support structure 62 aincludes a pair of base components 64 a fixed to support frame 54. Basecomponents 64 a are relatively rigid and have apertures 66 a formedtherein. Support structure 62 a further includes shafts 68 a, andapertures 66 a are configured to slidably support shafts 68 a. Shafts 68a are fixed to guide segment 60 a. In particular, shafts 68 a includecoupling portions 70 a fixed on an end thereof and configured to engagewith t-slots 72 a formed in guide segment 60 a. Support structure 62 acan include two of apertures 66 a, shafts 68 a, and coupling portions 70a. In this manner, support structure 62 slidably support the guideassemblies 30.

Each of guide assemblies 30 further include a rotating member 80 and apair of force translation assemblies 90 a, 90 b for converting therotating movement of rotating member 80 into translation movement guidesegments 60 a, 60 b. Force translation assembly 90 a includes avertically oriented support plate 91 a which is fixed relative to guidesegment 60 a. Force translation assembly 90 a further includes cam plate92 a fixed to support plate 91 a by fastening assemblies 93 a. Cam plate92 a is oriented parallel to rotating member 80. Pin 94 a is secured torotating member 80 and extends upward into slot 96 formed within camplate 92 a. As rotating member rotates pin 94 a translates along slot 96a and translates force translation assembly 90 a and, therefore, guidesegment 60 a accordingly.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, rotating member 80 is in the form of asprocket, and drive element 34 is in the form of a roller chainconfigured to meshingly engage the sprocket. Rotating member or sprocket80 is rotatably supported on system base 54 by a bearing assembly 112.Additionally, an actuator 114 may be coupled to each of sprockets 80 tolocate guides 60 in a home position as described in further detailbelow.

Chain displacement assemblies 120 are supported by system base 54 andinclude a bracket 122, an actuation device 124 and a biasing mechanism120 which may take the form of an air cylinder. Chain displacementassemblies 120 operate to disengage drive element 34 from sprocket 80 asdescribed in detail below.

In operation, the guide positioning system of container transport system20 locates guide segments 60 to a predetermined position withincontainer shape envelope 52. Initially, guide segments 60 are in a homeposition (FIG. 2) in which the guide segments are fully retracted.Actuation system 32 is then set to correspond with the home positions.Accordingly, container transport system 20 is calibrated for operation.As described in further detail below, the guide positioning system ofcontainer transport system 20 can be calibrated and/or recalibratedautomatically in response to an input from a user into the controldevice of actuation system 32.

To operate container transport system 20, predetermined positions ofguide segments 60 can be input into the control device of actuationsystem 32. In response, actuation system 32 operates actuator 36 to movedrive element 34. Sprockets 80 thereby rotate and cause pins 94 to moveguide segments 60. In particular, pins 94 move along slots 96 of camplates 92 and push guide segments 60 inwardly away from the homeposition to a predetermined position (FIG. 3). With particular referenceto FIG. 4, slots 96 can have a non-linear shape in order to provide aconsistent relation between the rotation of sprocket 80 and thedisplacement of guide segments 60. For example, when pins 94 are at theends of slots 96, a larger component of the rotation of sprocket 80 isin the direction of movement of guide segments 60. Thus, with slotsoriented toward this direction, only a part of the component istranslated to guide segments 60. As the sprocket is further rotated, theshape of the slot is such that a greater rotation is necessary for thesame amount of linear translation.

As described above, slots 96 of cam plates 92 can determine the relationbetween the rotation of sprocket 80 and the displacement of guidesegments 60. Therefore, slot 96 can, in part, determine the accuracy ofcontainer transport system 20 in positioning guide segments 60.Furthermore, different applications of container transport system 20 mayrequire different levels of accuracy. With cam plates 92 attached tosupport plates 91 with fastener assemblies 93, cam plates 92 can bereadily removed and/or interchanged depending on the particularapplication of container transport system 20. As such, it should beunderstood that the cam plates and slots illustrated and describedherein are exemplary and can vary according to the principles of thepresent disclosure.

The predetermined positions of guide segments 60 are within containershape envelope 52, as shown in FIG. 3 and guide segments 60 aremaintained in one of the predetermined positions as required by theparticular bottle sized and configuration. The container transportsystem 20 can be readily reconfigured by moving the guide segments toother positions for different sized bottles. Accordingly, containertransport system 20 can accommodate a variety of container shapes andsizes.

During operation of container transport system 20, it may be desirableor necessary to recalibrate container transport system 20. According tothe principles of the present disclosure, in order to recalibratecontainer transport system 20, coupling device 38 disengages driveelement 34 and actuator 36, and each of guide assemblies 30 are, inturn, reset so as to locate guide segments 60 in the home positions.

In particular, with drive element 34 disengaged from actuator 36, driveelement 34 has enough slack to be disengaged from sprocket 80. Aspresently preferred, each guide assembly 30 is disengaged in succession.Chain displacement assembly 120 moves drive element 34 away fromsprocket 80. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 at “A”, drive element 34engages one of sprockets 80; while at “B”, drive element 34 isdisengaged from the other of sprockets 80, and the guide assembly 30 at“B” can be reset. In particular, to disengage drive element 34 andsprocket 80, actuation mechanism 124 is operated to pull bracket 122away from sprocket 80, which, therefore, moves drive element 34 awayfrom sprocket 80. With drive element 34 and sprocket 80 disengaged,guide assembly 30 can be reset.

It is to be understood that guide assembly 30 can be reset in a varietyof ways. For example, an operator of container transport line couldmanually move guide assemblies 30 to as to locate guide segments 60 inthe home positions. Additionally, actuator 114 can be coupled tosprocket 80 to move guide assemblies 30 so as to locate guide segments60 in the home position. With guide segments 60 in the home position,actuation mechanism 124 of chain displacement assembly 120 isdisengaged, and biasing mechanism 126 moves drive element 34 back intoengagement with sprocket 80. This process can be repeated in successionfor each of guide assemblies 30.

With all of guide assemblies 30 reset, actuation system 32 can again beset in correspondence with the home positions of guide segments 60. As aresult, container transport system 20 is recalibrated. The guidepositioning system of container transport system 20 can be recalibratedautomatically in response to an input from a user into the controldevice of actuation system 32. Moreover, the components of containertransport system 20 can be re-engaged and again operated as describedabove.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, container transport system 20 may employ analternative guide assembly 30′. Guide assemblies 30′ includes componentsthat are substantially similar or the same as guide assembly 30, and, assuch, these components are referred to by the same reference numerals(such as guide segments 60 a, 60 b). Otherwise, similar components arereferred to with reference numerals such as 15, 15′.

Guide assembly 30′ includes guide segments 60 a, 60 b, and acorresponding pair of support structures 62 a′, 62 b′. As stated abovewith regard to guide assembly 30, it is to be understood thatdescriptions of individual components apply to corresponding similarcomponents, that similar components are collectively described, and thata collective description of such components equally applies to eachindividual component.

As shown in FIG. 9, support structure 62 a′ includes a base component 64a′ fixed to system base 54. Base component 64 a′ is a relatively rigidcomponent having apertures 66 a formed therein as described above withregard to base components 64 a. Support structure 62 a′ includes shafts68 a, which have coupling portions 70 a engaged with t-slots 72 a asdescribed above. Support structure 62 a′ further includes biasingdevices 174 a′ fixed to base component 64 a′ within apertures 66 a′ andattached to shafts 68 a opposite coupling portions 70 a. Biasing devices174 a′ locate guide segment 60 a′ in a home position. As presentlypreferred, biasing devices 174 a′ may be in the form of springs; howeverother devices which generate a retracting force for urging the guideassembly 30′ in to a home position may be utilized. Support structure 62a′ further includes two of apertures 66 a, shafts 68 a, couplingportions 70 a, and biasing devices 174 a′.

Referring again to FIGS. 5-9, each of guide assemblies 30′ include arotating member 80′ and a force translation assembly 90′ having a platecomponent 92′ and pins 94 a′, 94 b′. Pins 94 a′, 94 b′ are configured tointeract with guide segments 60 and support structures 62′. Brackets 96′on guide segments 60 receive pins 94′, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

Force translation assemblies 90′ are supported on rotating member 80′for co-rotation therewith. Each of rotating members 80′ can be rotatablycoupled to system base 54 by a bearing assembly 112. Drive element 34′is engaged with each of rotating members 80′. Coupling devices 220′ issupported by system base 54 proximate rotating members 80′ and isoperable for selectively decoupling force translation assemblies 90 fromrotating members 80′. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, rotating members 110′can be in the form of pulleys, and coupling devices 220′ can be in theform of air cylinders. Furthermore, as also illustrated in the Figures,drive element 34′ may be in the form of a cable with sufficient tensilestrength to prevent stretching and the length of the conveyor system.

In operation, the guide positioning system of container transport system20 locates guide segments 60 to a predetermined position withincontainer shape envelope 52. Initially, guide segments 60 and actuationsystem 32 are decoupled from one another. In particular, coupling device38 is disengaged so that drive element 34′ and actuator 36 are notcoupled to one another. As force translation assemblies 90′ are coupledto guide segments 60′ via pins 94′, coupling devices 220′ are operatedto decouple force translation assemblies 90′ from rotating members 80′.Biasing devices 174′ urge guide segments 60 to a home position, as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, and force translation assemblies 90′ rotatecorrespondingly. Biasing devices 174′ can take a variety of forms,including but not limited to springs, air cylinders, and weight systems.In this manner, biasing devices 174′ automatically locate guide segments60 in the home positions when force translation assemblies 90′ aredecoupled from rotating members 80′. With guide segments 60 in homepositions, actuation system 32 is set to correspond with the homepositions and container transport system 20 is calibrated for operation.The guide positioning system of container transport system 20 may beconfigured to be calibrated automatically in response to an input from auser into the control device of actuation system 32.

With container transport system 20 calibrated for operation, couplingdevice 38 couples drive element 34′ to actuator 36, and coupling devices220′ couples force translation assemblies 90′ for rotation with rotatingmembers 80′. Next, a predetermined position of guide segments 60 isinput into the control device of actuation system 32. In response,actuation system 32 operates actuator 36 to move drive element 34′.Force translation assemblies 90′ and rotating members 80′ thereby rotatecausing pins 94′ to move guide segments 60. In particular, pins 94′ movealong brackets 96′ and push guide segments 60 inwardly away from thehome position to a predetermined position within container shapeenvelope 52, as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Guide segments 60 are maintained inthe predetermined position for a given bottle being transported incontainer transport system 20. The system may be adjusted by furtherproviding an input to re-locate the guide segments 60 as needed.Accordingly, container transport system 20 can accommodate a variety ofcontainer shapes and sizes.

As explained above, during operation of container transport system 20,it may be desirable or necessary to recalibrate container transportsystem 20. According to the principles of the present disclosure, inorder to recalibrate container transport system 20, coupling device 38uncouples drive element 34′ and actuator 36, and coupling device 220′uncouples force translation assemblies 90′ and rotating members 80′.Therefore, Biasing devices 174′ re-locate guide segments 60 in the homeposition. Actuation system 32 can again be set in correspondence withthe home position of guide segments 60. As a result, container transportsystem 20 is recalibrated. The guide positioning system of containertransport system 20 can be configured to be recalibrated automaticallyin response to an input from a user into the control device of actuationsystem 32. The components of container transport system 20 are thenreengaged and again operated as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a curved section 230′ of transport line 22 isshown. By using drive element 34′ that is flexible (other than intension), container transport system 20 is readily adaptable for usewith a transport line 22 that has a portion such as a wire cable orroller chain, with a non-linear path which may rise or fall in elevationas well as turn in various directions. Guide assemblies 30′ are coupledalong portion 230′. Guide segments 60 of guide assemblies 30′ have acurved shape corresponding to portion 230′. Drive element 34′ extendsbetween guide assemblies 30′ along portion 230′. The length of guidesegments 60 required to extend continuously along portion 230′ variesdepending on the position of guide segments 60. Accordingly, guidesegments 60′ along portion 230′ include extensions 240′. Each ofextensions 240′ are attached beneath one of guide segments 60 proximatean end thereof. When guide segments 60 are positioned so as to have gapsbetween the ends thereof, extensions 240′ provide a surface forcontainers 24 to engage with when traveling across the gap.

The present disclosure may vary in many ways. A preferred configurationof the container transport system 20 of the present disclosure includesone guide assembly for approximately every five feet of transport line22. Additionally, a preferred configuration would include multipleactuators 36, the number depending on the length of transport line 22.As presently preferred, a single actuator 36 can be used to separate onehundred feet of transport line 22. Thus, in such a configuration, onedrive element 34 and one actuator 36 could operate up to forty guideassemblies 30. Actuators 36 are included which provide a desiredaccuracy corresponding to the size of container shape envelopes.Suitable actuators 36 may include fluidic muscles, pneumatic motors,hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders stepper motors, servo motors, steppedair cylinders, and servo air cylinders, but it is anticipated thatothers may be used. Additionally, the control device of actuation system32 can take a variety of forms well known in the art.

The components of a container transport system according to theprinciples of the present disclosure can be made of a variety ofmaterials. In a typical embodiment of the present disclosure, the driveelements are flexible. As such, suitable materials for both includeroller chains, wire rope and steel cables. It is anticipated that othermaterials can be used for the drive elements. The guide segments can beshaped to correspond to the path of transport line 22, as shown in FIG.7, and must be sufficiently rigid to maintain shape while interactingwith containers 24 traveling along transport line 22. By way ofnon-limiting example, the guide segments can include ultrahigh molecularweight (UHMW) polyethylene. Furthermore, the base components and shaftsof the support structures can also include UHMW polyethylene.Alternatively, the guide segments may be an extruded metal componentwhich employs a UHMW guide cover to prevent wear on the guide segment.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, transport line 22may take a variety of configurations and paths. Likewise containers 24can have a variety of shapes and sizes and container shape envelope 52.As such, it is to be understood that the guide segments and actuationsystems 32 can be coupled in a variety of ways.

This disclosure is exemplary in nature and, as such, variations which donot depart from the gist of this disclosure are and intended to bewithin the scope of this disclosure. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

1. A guide positioning system for a container transport line, the guidepositioning system comprising: a guide assembly including a first guidesegment and a second guide segment extending opposite each other along atransport line, a rotating member disposed proximate the transport line,and a force translation assembly coupled between said guide segments andsaid rotating member for displacing said guide segments incorrespondence with a rotation of said rotating member; and an actuationsystem including a drive element extending along the transport line andselectively engages said rotating member, an actuator selectivelycoupled to said drive element, wherein said actuation system selectivelyoperates said drive element to rotate said rotating member and move saidguide segments from a home position to a predetermined position awayfrom said home positions.
 2. The guide positioning system of claim 1,wherein said force translation assembly includes first and second pinssecured to said rotating member, a first cam plate secured relative tosaid first guide segment, and a second cam plate secured relative tosaid second guide segment, said first and second cam plates each havinga slot formed therein for receiving said first and second pins,respectively.
 3. The guide positioning system of claim 2, wherein saidslots have a non-linear shape.
 4. The guide positioning system of claim2, wherein said force translation assembly further includes first andsecond support plates coupled between said first and second guidesegments and said first and second cam plates, respectively, said firstand second cam plates being removably attached to said first and secondsupport plates.
 5. The guide positioning system of claim 1, wherein saidrotating member is a sprocket, and said drive element is a roller chainconfigured to meshingly engage with said sprocket.
 6. The guidepositioning system of claim 5, further comprising a chain displacementassembly for selectively engaging and disengaging said sprocket and saidchain.
 7. The guide positioning system of claim 1, wherein said rotatingmember is a pulley, and said force translation assembly includes arelatively rigid plate disposed on said pulley, a first pin extendingfrom said plate and engaging with said first guide segment, and a secondpin extending from said plate and engaging with said second guidesegment.
 8. The guide positioning system of claim 7, wherein each ofsaid guide segments includes a bracket attached thereto and receivingsaid pins.
 9. The guide positioning system of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of guide assemblies, each of said plurality ofguide assemblies interconnected to said actuation system.
 10. The guidepositioning system of claim 1, wherein said actuator coupling device isan air cylinder.
 11. A container transport system comprising: an infeedmachine for collecting a plurality of containers; a discharge machinefor receiving said plurality of containers; a container transport lineextending between said infeed machine and said discharge machine; aplurality of guide assemblies supporting guides along said transportline; and an actuation system selectively coupled to each of saidplurality of guide assemblies and operable between a calibration statewherein said guide assemblies and said actuation system are decoupled toposition said guides in a home position, and an operation state whereinsaid actuation system selectively operates said guide assemblies to movesaid guides to a predetermined position away from said home position.12. The container transport system of claim 11, wherein, when said guideassemblies and said actuation system are uncoupled, said guides areautomatically located in said home positions.
 13. The containertransport system of claim 12, wherein said guide assemblies furtherinclude an actuator for automatically locating said guides in said homeposition.
 14. The container transport system of claim 12, wherein saidguide assemblies include biasing devices coupled to said guides forautomatically locating said guides in said home position.
 15. Thecontainer transport system of claim 11, wherein said actuation systemincludes a drive element extending along said transport line andengaging a plurality of said guide assemblies, an actuator selectivelycoupled to said drive element for selectively operating said driveelement.
 16. A method positioning a guide for a container packagingsystem, the method comprising: locating a guide in a home position;setting an actuation system to correspond with said home position ofsaid guide; coupling said guide and said actuation system; and operatingsaid actuation system to move said guide to a predetermined positionaway from said home position.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: uncoupling said guide and said actuation system afteroperating said actuation system; re-locating said guide in said homeposition after uncoupling said guide and said actuation system; andresetting said actuation system to correspond with said home position ofsaid guide.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein uncoupling said guideand said actuation system, locating said guide after decoupling, andresetting said actuation system are performed in response to an input toa control device of said actuation system.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein operating said actuation system to move said guide comprisestranslating a rotational motion powered by said actuation system into alinear displacement of said guide.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereintranslating said rotational motion powered by said actuation systemcomprises providing a substantially constant rate of said lineardisplacement of said guide.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein biasingsaid guide and setting said actuation system are performed in responseto an input to a control device of said actuation system.
 22. The methodof claim 16, wherein coupling said guide and said actuation systemcomprises operating an air cylinder to engage a drive element with saidactuation system.
 23. The method of claim 16, wherein locating saidguide to said home position comprises operating an actuator coupled tosaid guide.
 24. The method of claim 16, wherein locating said guide tosaid home position comprises manually moving said guide.
 25. The methodof claim 16, wherein locating said guide to said home position comprisescoupling said guide to the container packaging system with a springassembly.